Terminology

​Below is a list of definitions for some rigid (set-up) box terminology:

Base

The lower portion of the box that normally holds the item.

Basewrap

The paper being laminated to the base of the box.

Blank

The unfinished cardboard base or lid of the box still flat.

Box

A complete base and lid.

Caliper

Refers to the thickness of the cardboard used for the box.

Closing

Placing lids on the base of the box.

Cotton

A special non-tarnishing fiber that lies in the base of the box to protect and enhance the value of the product in the box.

Deboss

A process similar to hot stamping where your logo or design is slightly pressed into the paper without any hot stamping foil.

Die Cutting

The process of cutting the shape of your box out of a larger piece of cardboard. Boxes are formed using die cutting instead of scoring normally on larger runs.

Emboss

A process similar to hot stamping where your logo or design is slightly raised on the paper without any hot stamping foil.

Filler

Products such as foam, cotton, or pads that are normally placed in the base of the box.

Foam

A filler that normally has a simulated velvet laminated on top to provide the highest perceived value for the product in the box. Foam can also be die cut to hold high-end jewelry products such as rings or other fine jewelry.

Hot Stamping

The process by which a logo or your identity is transferred to the paper of the box through heat, pressure, and special stamping foils. This process is preferred over printing when you want a single vibrant color or glossy look to your logo and is perfect for shorter runs.

Lid

The upper portion of the box that fits on top of the base of the box.

Lidwrap

The paper being laminated to the lid of the box.

Master Packing

The process of placing smaller corrugated cartons into a larger corrugated carton. For example, many of our boxes are packed 100 in to a corrugated carton, then five of these cartons are placed in one master carton of 500 boxes total.

Neck

A piece of cardboard that is normally inserted into the lid of the box to provide more room (or clearance) for the item in the base of the box.

Nest

When a smaller box is placed inside a larger box normally to save freight costs and space. This also sometimes refers to the process of nesting lids or bases when they are stacked inside each other in a zigzag process.

Pack

The process of having to insert into the base of the box, then placing the completed box into a corrugated carton.

Pad

Normally refers to a filler for a box that consists of a piece of cardboard laminated with a simulated velvet. The cardboard is then normally die cut to hold various jewelry items such as earrings, necklaces, or bracelets.

Palletize

Placing several corrugated cartons of completed boxes on a wooden structure (normally 40" x 48" and about 6" high). This facilitates the movement of the completed boxes in your facility.

Platform

A folded piece of cardboard that is normally placed in the base of the box to support a product such as a gift certificate. A 2-sided platform has two legs which keep the platform raised and a 4-sided platform has four legs which keep it raised.

Printing

The process by which graphics or your identity is transferred to the paper of the box through offset printing. This process is preferred over hot stamping when you have a multi-color logo or complex graphics. Also because of set-up costs, this process is sometimes preferred over hot stamping for very long runs.

Ribbon

A decorative item that can be placed around a box to keep it shut.

Score Line

The center of the line formed where a box bends. The size of a box is normally measured from score line to score line.

Scoring

The process of using a series of knives to cut or create grooves in the cardboard so that it may bend to form a box. Boxes are formed using scoring instead of die cutting normally on shorter runs.

Shrinkwrap

Wrapping a roll of plastic around palletized cartons to keep them all in place. This can also refer to the process of placing plastic around an individual box and placing into a heat tunnel to shrink the plastic over the box.

Telescope

Describes a box where the lid height is the same as the base height.

Thumbhole

Usually a half-moon cut made in the sides of the lid to facilitate its removal from the base of the box.

Tightwrapping

The process of covering the lid or base of the box tightly with a piece of paper covered in adhesive.

Turn-in

The portion of the paper which wraps on the inside of the box. Normally extends about 3/8" down each side of the box. When you are using a platform that does not come up that high, you can ask for a longer turn-in to be used (such as 1/2" turn-in).

Tray

Just the base of the box.

Vac form insert

A plastic insert normally with a flocked surface used to hold the product in the base of the box.